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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Obama Vows New US Resolve on Climate Change

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(AP) – President Obama declared the United States a serious partner in combating global warming today, telling world leaders at the UN, "We understand the gravity of the climate threat. We are determined to act. And we will meet our responsibility to future generations." In brief remarks at a high-level climate summit convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, he said, "The journey is hard. And we don't have much time left to make it."

Obama acknowledged that the US has been slow to respond to the threat of climate change, and sought to show new US resolve ahead of crucial talks in Copenhagen in December. He also signaled a break from his predecessor, who downplayed the issue. He spoke at the start of a busy day of diplomacy that also was to include a three-way meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in an effort to nudge forward the Mideast peace process.

President Barack Obama addresses the United Nations climate change summit, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at the United Nations headquarters.
President Barack Obama addresses the United Nations climate change summit, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at the United Nations headquarters.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
U.S. President Barack Obama addresses the Summit on Climate Change, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, as U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon listens at the United Nations.
U.S. President Barack Obama addresses the Summit on Climate Change, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, as U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon listens at the United Nations.   (Richard Drew)
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, and United States Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice wait for President Barack Obama's address during the Summit on Climate Change, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at the United Nations.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, and United States Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice wait for President Barack Obama's address during the Summit on Climate Change, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009,...   (Charles Dharapak)
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon shakes hands with President Barack Obama after he addressed the United Nations climate change summit, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at the United Nations headquarters.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon shakes hands with President Barack Obama after he addressed the United Nations climate change summit, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at the United Nations headquarters.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Barack Obama addresses the Summit on Climate Change at the United Nations in New York Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009.
President Barack Obama addresses the Summit on Climate Change at the United Nations in New York Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Konishi Taro, Japan Pool)
President Barack Obama addresses the Summit on Climate Change at the United Nations in New York Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009.
President Barack Obama addresses the Summit on Climate Change at the United Nations in New York Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tsutomu Kobayashi, Japan Pool)
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13 comments
VIEWING:
 
Timinator2K
Sep 22, 09 10:21 AM CDT
The US has been "slow to respond to the climate threat" because there is NO freakin' climate threat...just an AL GORE-IAN Global Scam to irretrievably screw our economy and line his pockets. This President steps from one methane-loaded cow turd into another. He is terribly consistent though. Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
BlahBlahBlah
Sep 22, 09 10:31 AM CDT
Sure, because sticking your head in the sand is the best plan for success. That is the beauty of your position I guess, if you never admit the problem you can keep living your life the way you want with no guilt. Wow, that sure is convenient for you isn’t it.
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
Realist
Sep 22, 09 10:33 AM CDT
Saying there is no climate threat is foolhardy - it's real, it's happening and it's accelerating. The real debate is about how much humans are contributing to the problem.
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Sep 22, 09 10:45 AM CDT
Blah and Realist, I agree. People of Tim's ilk would also complain that the future of their offspring will be hampered by taxes, thus a negative existence. Yet, they ignore the fact that their futures will be destroyed if we don't change our behavior, and soon.
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0
IN RESPONSE:
IndependentThinker
Sep 22, 09 11:34 AM CDT
A well stated and deep comparison there Fondue. You really hit the core there.
Vote up! Vote down!
+3

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